He just signed for the rest of the year over in Switzerland, but after that I'm not sure what he'll do. I definitely don't think he's ready for NHL action yet, and even the AHL might be a stretch because he's had some developmental problems so far.

Saskatoon will very likely have the first pick in the draft and the past two imports they have taken are Marcus Pahlsson and Bjorn Svensson---two Swedes. General Manager Brent McEwan spent a great deal of time working for Swedesh hockey teams in the late 1980s and so he would have tremendous connections in that country. Last year rumours were constantly circulating that the Blades would, in fact, take Robert Nilsson but they opted not to. But with the worst recod in the CHL by a long shot the Blades will get a very talented Euro with the first pick.

It's not necessarily that either. He could still be a Swede and not be a CHL Import...if he had have played through the Canadian hockey system. Nilsson is a player in a European league, therefore he would take up an import spot on a CHL team.

It's about where he was registered as a player before playing in the CHL.

It's not necessarily that either. He could still be a Swede and not be a CHL Import...if he had have played through the Canadian hockey system. Nilsson is a player in a European league, therefore he would take up an import spot on a CHL team.

It's about where he was registered as a player before playing in the CHL.

Click to expand...

So since Alexander Steen played his minor hockey in Canada up till age 14, would he still be considered an import?

It's not necessarily that either. He could still be a Swede and not be a CHL Import...if he had have played through the Canadian hockey system. Nilsson is a player in a European league, therefore he would take up an import spot on a CHL team.

It's about where he was registered as a player before playing in the CHL.

Click to expand...

Incorrect.

I asked this question to the CHL a couple of years ago, and was told that import status is dependent upon the habitual place of residence of the player's parents, and which parent has custody of the player. If both parents live in Europe, then the player is subject to the import draft, regardless of where he was actually registered to play hockey (e.g., Klesla played in the USHL but came to Brampton through the import draft).

SO... If the parents have joint custody and one of them lives in North America, then the player playing in Europe would be eligible for the regular junior draft (provided he is put on the draft list by Central Scouting).